Sobha’s paintings to be restored

Damaged by the vagaries of time and the moist climate of the hills, paintings of legendary artist Sardar Sobha Singh housed at a family-run gallery in Andretta would soon undergo restoration by experts.

Hriday Paul Singh, grandson of the late artist, told HT, “Ian Barrand, who works with the Yorkshire Museum in the UK, and his collaborator Bhajan Hunjan will visit the Sobha Singh Art Gallery at Andretta by March-end.

They will stay for two weeks, and not only restore some paintings, but also advise on how we can save the works in future using the limited space and resources we have.” At least six paintings have developed cracks, including a portrait of the late writer Amrita Pritam, and depictions of Guru Tegh Bahadur and Lord Krishna.

For the decay of the works, Singh blamed the high rainfall in the region and the generally moist climate, besides exposure to harsh light and dust. Expressing gratitude to the experts, Singh said they have generated their own resources to visit the gallery. “They say they have the highest regard for Sardar Sobha Singh, ‘the painter of the divine’.”